What is radon?

Radon is an invisible, odorless, radioactive gas created during the natural decay of uranium in the soil. Radon is everywhere, and Colorado has higher concentrations than other regions. Radon gas is drawn into homes and other buildings through cracks and openings in basements, crawl spaces and slabs. Radon levels vary from house to house and have nothing to do with age, quality or upkeep of the home.

Why is radon a concern?

Radon gas has been shown to cause lung cancer in people who are exposed to elevated levels over a long period of time. The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) recommends radon reduction if your home level exceeds 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). If you smoke and your home has an elevated radon level, your risk for lung cancer is especially high. Test for radon in your home! Radon is easy to test and easy to fix.

Thousands of Fort Collins homes have been tested for radon by individual homeowners and private radon testers. Test results indicate that three out of four Fort Collins homes have radon levels of 4 pCi/L or above. But don’t let these numbers scare you away from Colorado! Radon is a problem that can be fixed.

What should homebuyers and sellers know about radon?

When buying a home in Fort Collins, take time to test radon levels. If your dream home has high radon levels, does this mean you should walk away? Absolutely not! There are ways to effectively reduce radon levels in your future home. Of all the problems that a house can have, radon is one of the most easy to identify and fix. Radon can be reduced, either before you buy a home, or after you buy it and move in.

How do I test for radon?

There are two approaches to measure radon.

Test it yourself. The City of Fort Collinssells radon-testing kits at a discounted rate of $4.00 for short-term, $15.00 for long-term kits. Please visit: Fort Collins Senior Center at 1200 Raintree Drive or the Fort Collins Development Review Center at 281 North College Ave.

Am I required to test for radon?

No, although City code does not require radon testing or mitigation, we urge everyone to test their home for radon. Fort Collins City Code requires that sellers provide a copy of the City's informational brochure to all buyers of residential property at point of sale (prior to the execution of a contract on a home). The “seller” may be a realtor, home-owner, attorney or any other person acting on behalf of the seller.

Can radon affect water?

If you use a well for your drinking water supply, radon can also enter your home through well water. If your home has a high radon level in the air (4 pCi/L or more) and you have a well, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791 or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment at (303) 692-3090.

How can radon levels be reduced?

Don't be discouraged if you find elevated radon concentrations in your home! Radon problems can be prevented by installing a radon mitigation system. A plastic pipe is connected to the soil beneath a slab, basement or crawl space floor and then extended to the outside of the home, where radon gas is harmlessly exhausted into outside air. A continuously-operating fan ensures the system's effectiveness. If you hire a contractor to do the work, use one who is listed at Colorado Radon Information. The Center for Environmental Research and Technology offers information useful to anyone interested in understanding radon reduction systems, including specific information for "do-it-yourselfers."

Do new homes require radon systems?

Yes, after January 1, 2005, all new single-family and duplex housing in Fort Collins must be equipped with a radon reduction system during construction. The system frequently relies on passive ventilation, thus avoiding the need for a fan, and can be concealed within the internal skeleton of the home. Testing has shown the passive system reduces radon by half, on average. However, 35% of new homes still exceed 4 pCi/L with the required system installed. Homeowners should test for radon and, if further reduction is needed, have an in-line fan installed in the space provided. To learn more, call Fort Collins Building and Zoning at (970) 221-6760.